Cholesterol Diet
A diet is prescribed when you need to lower unhealthy amounts of cholesterol in your blood. Generally, the cholesterol diet encourages weight loss.
Add exercise for quicker results when on a cholesterol diet.
About Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a type of fat essential in every cell of the body and naturally manufactured by your body.
Carried in the blood, cholesterol is essential for the brain and nervous system, production of vitamin D, and helps produce some hormones. You body manufactures all the cholesterol it needs.
Too Much Cholesterol
Saturated animal fats in full milk and meat add unhealthy cholesterol. Some is excreted, the majority raises the cholesterol levels in your blood, and can lead to heart disease.
The diet, along with exercise, reduces cholesterol levels. It also lowers high blood pressure and obesity.
The diet must be low in fats, especially saturated fats which are likely to cause high and unhealthy cholesterol levels in the blood. To reduce or prevent extra cholesterol:
- Eat many vegetables, and fresh fruits.
- Whole grain cereals for fibre and soybean products (not deep fried)
- Eat legumes (beans, peas and lentils).
- Lean red meats only once a week.
- Dairy: Eat low fat cheese, milk and yoghurt. Reduce butter to a minimum.
- Remove skin from chicken and eat grilled or steamed fish.
- Use unsaturated oil, like olive oil, if you need to cook with fat.
- Egg yolks and seafood such as prawns should be eaten moderately because they contain the unhealthy cholesterol.
Eliminate From Your Diet:
- Foods with 'hidden' saturated or trans-fats:
- Pies, pastries, deep fried food, cakes, biscuits, and processed snacks.
Summary
- A balanced cholesterol diet, along with exercise, effectively lowers your cholesterol level.
- This diet is similar to a Mediterranean diet but you are using less olive oil.
This was an article about imporant foods and issues around the cholesterol diet.